After residents requested action from the Camden College Park apartments staff in light of security concerns and poor communication, complex management met with the College Park City Council on Tuesday night but failed to reach a solution.
The apartment complex, located on Milestone Way, has been the location of a homicide and more than 12 break-ins since October. Though residents tried contacting management numerous times to resolve their issues, residents complained nothing significant came of it.
“We do see many breaking-and-enterings happening inside and outside your apartments,” District 1 Councilman Fazlul Kabir said to managers at the meeting. “Residents tried to reach out, and they failed for many months. If I were living there, I would be very frustrated.”
When residents called on the council last month to hold management responsible, the council wrote Camden Properties Regional Vice President Richard Key a letter on March 10 that outlined the residents’ concerns and requested a meeting.
“I visited … the front of the building, and your first impression is your last impression,” said District 4 Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell. “My first impression was a D.”
The issues outlined in the letter included a lack of adequate security, low-quality balcony renovations, false fire alarms and insufficient communication between the residents and the management staff.
“Our goal is to have a harmonious relationship with the community of College Park,” Key said at the meeting Tuesday. “I will make sure we get a written response to the mayor about what we’re doing to make sure College Park is a great place to live.”
But rather than present steps to address concerns at the meeting, Key attempted to explain the complex management’s actions, saying they didn’t receive any invitations to meet with citizens and that additional security measures — such as key fobs and more cameras — were impractical.
“In my experience, you inevitably get an image that is grainy [on the cameras] and you can’t make out anything,” Key said.
Key also said “residents are very happy with the progress we’re making with security,” citing the installation of new deadbolts. But some residents disagreed, including Cory Sanders, Camden College Park Civic Association president.
“The things Camden was saying were completely off,” Sanders said. “The management did a lot of tap dancing [Tuesday] night.”
Sanders also said the association’s meetings were booked in the complex’s clubroom through the building’s front desk, although Key said the apartment’s management was unaware of the meeting’s time and location.
Key and the rest of the management team will meet with Sanders and other association members next week to discuss a plan of action.
“We are bridging the gap somewhat,” Sanders said. “Camden wants to do what’s right, but the poor communication between Camden and residents gets in the way. I need Camden to work with me.”
Between 15 and 20 residents have made the decision to leave Camden since the homicide took place in January, Kabir said, and he added that three or four crimes have occurred at Camden within the past week.
“The mayor and I attended a meeting, and the question was asked: Who would renew their lease with you?” Mitchell said. “No one raised their hand.”
